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inaugural  addre 
Conf  Pam  12mo  #80 


INAUGURAL  ADDRESS 


OF 


PRESIDENT    D^VIS3 


DELIVERED  AT  THE  CAPITOL. 


Monday,  February  18,  18G1,  at  1  o'clock,  I*.  3J, 


MONTGOMERY,  ALA.: 

6H0ETER  &  EEID,  PEINTEES,  ADTEETISEE   OFFICE. 
1861. 


PERKINS  LIBRARY 

Duke   University 
Kare  Dooks 

IIVAUGMJIfcAL.   ADDRESS 


Gentlemen  of  the  Congress  of  the  Confederate 

States  of  America;  Friends  and  Fellow- Citizens  : 

Called  to  the  difficult  aud  responsible  station  of  Chief 
Executive  of  the  Provisional  Government  which  you  have 
instituted,  I  approach  the  discharge  of  the  duties  assign- 
ed to  me  with  an  humble  distrust  of  my  abilities,  but 
with  a  sustaining  confidence  in  the  wisdom  of  those  who 
are  to  guide  and  to  aid  me  in  the  administration  of  public 
affairs,  and  an  abiding  faith  in  the  virtue  and  patriotism 
of  the  people. 

Looking  forward  to  the  speedy  establishment  of  a  per- 
manent Government  to  take  the  place  of  this,  and  which 
by  its  greater  moral  and  physical  power  will  be  better 
able  to  combat  with  the  many  difficulties  which  arise 
from  the  conflicting  interests  of  separate  nations,  I  enter 
upon  the  duties  of  the  office,  to  which  I  have  been  cho- 
sen, with  the  hope  that  the  beginning  of  our  career,  as  a 
Confederacy,  may  not  be  obstructed  by  hostile  opposition 
to  our  enjoyment  of  the  separate  existence  and  indepen_ 
dence  which  we  have  asserted,  and,  with  the  blessing  of 
Providence,  intend  to  maintain.  Our  present  condition, 
achieved  in  a  manner  unprecedented  in  the  history  of 
nations,  illustrates  the  American  idea  that  Governments 
rest  upon  the  consent  of  the  governed,  and  that  it  is  the 
right  of  the  people  to  alter  or  abolish  Governments  when- 
ever they  become  destructive  of  the  ends  for  which  they 
were  established. 

190033 


The  declared  purpose  of  the  compact  of  Union  from 
which  we  have  withdrawn,  was  "to  establish  justice,  en- 
sure domestic  tranquility,  provide  for  the  common  de- 
fence, promote  the  general  welfare,  and  secure  the  bless- 
ings of  liberty  to  ourselves  and  posterity;"  and  when,  in 
the  judgment  of  the  sovereign  States  now  composing  this 
Confederacy,  it  had  been  perverted  from  the  purposes  for 
which  it  was  ordained,  and  had  ceased  to  answer  the  ends 
for  which  it  was  established,  a  peaceful  appeal  to  the  bal- 
lot-box, declared,  that  so  far  as  they  were  concerned,  the 
government  created  by  that  compact  should  cease  to  ex- 
ist. In  this  they  merely  asserted  a  right  which  the  Dec- 
laration of  Independence  of  1776,  had  defined  to  be  ina- 
lienable. Of  the  time  and  occasion  for  its  exercise,  they, 
as  sovereigns,  were  the  final  judges,  each  for  itself.  The 
impartial  and  enlightened  verdict  of  mankind  will  vindi- 
cate the  rectitude  of  our  conduct,  aud  He,  who  knows  the 
hearts  of  men,  will  judge  of  the  sincerity  with  which  we 
labored  to  preserve  the  government  of  our  fathers  in  its 
spirit.  The  right  solemnly  proclaimed  at  the  birth  of 
the  States,  and  which  has  been  affirmed  and  re-affirmed 
in  the  Bills  of  Rights  of  States  subsequently  admitted 
into  the  Union  of  1789,  undeniably  recognizes  in  the 
people,  the  power  to  resume  the  authority  delegated  for 
the  purposes  of  government.  Thus  the  sovereign  States, 
here  represented,  proceeded  to  form  this  Confederacy,  and 
it  is  by  abuse  of  language  that  their  act  has  been  denomi- 
nated a  revolution.  They  formed  a  new  alliance,  but 
within  each  State  its  government  has  remained,  and  the 
rights  of  person  and  property  have  not  been  disturbed. 
The  agent,  through  whom  they  communicated  with  for- 
eign nations,  is  changed,  but  this  does  not  necessarily  in- 
terrupt their  international  relations. 

Sustained  by  the  consciousness  that  the  transition  from 
the  former  Union  to  the  present  Confederacy  has  not 
proceeded  from  a  disregard  on  our  part  of  just  obligations, 
or  any  failure  to  perform  any  constitutional  duty — moved 


by  no  interest  or  passion  to  invade  the  rights  of  others — 
anxious  to  cultivate  peace  and  commerce  with  all  nations, 
if  we  may  not  hope  to  avoid  war,  we  may  at  least  expect 
that  posterity  will  acquit  us  of  having  needlessly  engaged 
in  it.  Doubly  justified  by  the  absence  of  wrong  on  our 
part,  and  by  wanton  aggression  on  the  part  of  others, 
there  can  be  no  cause  to  doubt  that  the  courage  and 
patriotism  of  the  people  of  the  Confederate  States  will  be 
found  equal  to  any  measures  of  defence  which  honor  and 
security  may  require. 

An  agricultural  people — whose  chief  interest  is  the  ex- 
port of  a  commodity  required  in  every  manufacturing 
country — our  true  policy  is  peace,  and  the  freest  trade 
which  our  necessities  will  permit.  It  is  alike  our  inter- 
est, and  that  of  all  those  to  whom  we  would  sell  and  from 
whom  we  would  buy,  that  there  should  be  the  fewest 
practicable  restrictions  upon  the  interchange  of  com- 
modities. There  can  be  but  little  rivalry  between  ours 
and  any  manufacturing  or  navigating  community,  such 
as  the  North-eastern  States  of  the  American  Union.  It 
must  follow,  therefore,  that  a  mutual  interest  would  in- 
vite good  will  and  kind  offices.  If,  however,  passion  or 
the  lust  of  dominion  should  cloud  the  judgment  or  in- 
flame the  ambition  of  those  States,  we  must  prepare  to 
meet  the  emergency  and  to  maintain,  by  the  final  arbitra- 
ment of  the  sword,  the  position  which  we  have  assumed 
among  the  nations  of  the  earth.  We  have  entered  upon 
the  career  of  independence,  and  it  must  be  inflexibly  pur- 
sued. Through  many  years  of  controversy,  with  our  late 
associates,  the  Northern  States,  we  have  vainly  endeavor- 
ed to  secure  tranquility,  and  to  obtain  respect  for  the 
rights  to  which  we  were  entitled.  As  a  necessity,  not  a 
choice,  we  have  resorted  to  the  remedy  of  separation ; 
and  henceforth,  our  energies  must  be  directed  to  the  con- 
duct of  our  own  affairs,  and  the  perpetuity  of  the  Con- 
federacy which  we  have  foimed.  If  a  just  perception  of 
mutual  interest  shall  permit  us,  peaceably,  to  pursue  our 

190033 


separate  political  career,  my  most  earnest  desire  will 
have  been  fulfilled.  But,  if  this  be  denied  to  us,  and  the 
integrity  of  our  territory  and  jurisdiction  be  assailed,  it 
will  but  remain  for  us,  with  firm  resolve,  to  appeal  to 
arms  and  invoke  the  blessings  of  Providence  on  a  just 
cause. 

As  a  consequence  of  our  new  condition,  and  with  a 
view  to  meet  anticipated  wants,  it  will  be  necessary  to 
provide  for  the  speedy  and  efficient  organization  of 
branches  of  the  Executive  Department,  having  special 
charge  of  foreign  intercourse,  finance,  military  affairs, 
and  the  postal  service. 

For  purposes  of  defence,  the  Confederate  States  may, 
under  ordinary  circumstances,  rely  mainly  upon  their 
militia,  but  it  is  deemed  advisable,  in  the  present  condi- 
tion of  aftairs,  that  there  should  be  a  well  instructed  and 
disciplined  army,  more  numerous  than  would  usually  be 
required  on  a  peace  establishment.  I  also  suggest  that 
for  the  protection  of  our  harbors  and  commerce  on  the 
high  seas,  a  navy  adapted  to  those  objects  will  be  requir- 
ed. These  necessities  have  doubtless  engaged  the  atten- 
tion of  Congress. 

With  a  Constitution  differing  only  from  that  of  our 
fathers,  in  so  far  as  it  is  explanatory  of  their  well  known 
intent,  freed  from  the  sectional  conflicts  which  have  in- 
terferred  with  the  pursuit  of  the  general  welfare,  it  is  not 
unreasonable  to  expect  that  States,  from  which  we 
have  recently  parted,  may  seek  to  unite  their  fortunes 
with  ours  under  the  government  which  we  have  institu- 
ted. For  this  your  Constitution  makes'adequate  provision  ; 
but  beyond  this,  if  I  mistake  not  the  judgment  and  will  of 
the  people,  a  re-union  with  the  States  from  which  we 
have  separated  is  neither  practicable  nor  desirable. 
To  increase  the  power,  develop  the  resources,  and  pro- 
mote the  happiness  of  a  Confederacy,  it  is  requisite  that 
there  should  be  so  much  of  homogeneity  that  the  welfare 
of  every  portion  shall  be  the  aim  of  the  whole.     "Where 


this  does  not  exist,  antagonisms  are  engendered  which 
must  and  should  result  in  separation. 

Actuated  solely  by  the  desire   to  preserve  our  own 
rights  and  promote  our  own  welfare,  the  separation  of 
the  Confederate  States  has  been   marked  by  no  aggres- 
sion upon  others,  and  followed  by  no  domestic  convul- 
sion.    Our  industrial  pursuits  have  received  no  check — 
the  cultivation  of  our  fields  has  progressed  as  heretofore — 
and  even  should  we  be  involved  in  war,  there  would  be 
no  considerable  diminution  in  the  production  of  the  sta- 
ples which  have  constituted  our  exports,  and  in  which 
the  commercial  world  has  an  interest  scarcely  less  than 
our  own.     This  common  interest  of  the  producer  and 
consumer,  can  only  be  interrupted  by  an  exterior  force, 
which  should  obstruct  its  transmission  to  foreign  mar- 
kets— a  course  of  conduct  which  would  be  as  unjust  to- 
wards us  as  it  would  be  detrimental  to  manufacturing 
and  commercial  interests  abroad.     {Should  reason  guide 
the  action  of  the  Government  from  which  we  have  sepa- 
rated, a  policy   so  detrimental  to  the  civilized   world,  the 
Northern  States  included,  could  not  be  dictated  by  even 
the  strongest  desire  to  inflict  injury  upon  us ;  but  if  other- 
wise, a  terrible  responsibility  will  rest  upon  it,  and  the 
suffering  of  millions  will  bear  testimony  to  the  folly  and 
wickedness  of  our  aggressors.     In  the  meantime,  there 
will  remain  to  us,  besides  the  ordinary  means  before  sug- 
gested, the  well  knowc  resources  for  retaliation  upon  the 
commerce  of  an  enemy. 

Experience  in  public  stations,  of  subordinate  grade  to 
this  which  your  kindness  has  conferred,  has  taught  me 
that  care,  and  toil,  and  disappointment,  are  the  price  of 
official  elevation.  You  will  see  many  errors  to  forgive, 
many  deficiencies  to  tolerate,  but  you  shall  not  find  in 
me  either  a  want  of  zeal  or  fidelity  to  the  cause,  that  is 
to  me  highest  in  hope  and  of  most  enduring  affection. 
Your  generosity  has  bestowed  upon  me  an  undeserved 
distinction;    one  which  I  neither  sought  nor  desired* 


Upon  the  continuance  of  that  sentiment,  and  upon  your 
wisdom  and  patriotism,  I  rely  to  direct  and  support  me 
in  the  performance  of  the  duty  required  at  my  hands. 

We  have  changed  the  constituent  parts,  but  not  the 
system  of  our  government.  The  Constitution  formed  by 
our  fathers  is  that  of  these  Confederate  States,  in  their 
exposition  of  it;  and,  in  the  judicial  construction  it  has 
received,  we  have  a  light  which  reveales  its  true  meaning. 

Thus  instructed  as  to  the  just  interpretation  of  the  in- 
strument, and  ever  remembering  that  all  offices  are  but 
trusts  held  for  the  people,  and  that  delegated  powers  are 
to  be  strictly  construed,  I  will  hope,  by  due  diligence  in 
the  performance  of  m}7  duties,  though  I  may  disappoint 
your  expectations,  yet  to  retain,  when  retiring,  something 
of  the  good  will  aud  confidence  which  welcome  my  en- 
trance into  office. 

It  is  joyous,  in  the  midst  of  perilous  times,  to  look 
around  upon  a  people  united  in  heart,  where  one  purpose 
of  high  resolve  animates  and  actuates  the  whole — where 
the  sacrifices  to  be  made  are  not  weighed  in  the  balance 
against  honor,  and  right,  and  liberty,  and  equality.  Ob- 
stacles may  retard,  they  cannot  long  prevent,  the  progress 
of  a  movement  sanctified  by  its  justice,  and  sustained  by 
a  virtuous  people.  Reverently  let  us  invoke  the  God  of 
our  fathers  to  guide  and  protect  us  in  our  efforts  to  per- 
petuate the  principles,  which,  by  his  blessing,  they  were 
able  to  vindicate,  establish  and  transmit  to  their  posteri- 
ty, and  with  a  continuance  of  His  favor,  ever  gratefully 
acknowledged,  we  may  hopefully  look  forward  to  success, 
to  peace,  and  to  prosperity. 


Hollinger  Corp. 
PH8.5 


